Last week, NJ Transit held two of three public scoping meetings for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) Rail Project. Although supportive of the project itself, Campaign executive director Janine Bauer issued a statement urging NJ Transit to put MOM on hold until the agency’s economic woes are addressed by Governor McGreevey, the state Treasurer, and the State legislature.

“Once projects are scoped and planned, expectations are raised. Then the transit agency is at risk of being forced to make project decisions based on political factors without appropriate long-term financing,” Ms. Bauer said.

The MOM project would use existing passenger and freight lines to expand public rail service from New York into central NJ. Three paths for the route have been proposed. The idea for MOM dates back to the 1970s, but became an official plan in 2000 when the state updated its “Circle of Mobility” law to include MOM as a state transit priority (MTR #284).

NJ Transit’s budget problems have been a major issue during much of the last decade. Although ridership increased 38%between 1992 and 2000, state operating contributions have declined since1994. Due to the lack of funding, NJ Transit has had to cover its operating expenses with capital funds.

“NJ Transit has been forced to divert funds from its capital budget in order to pay for day-to-day operations. This practice threatens the long-term stability of the agency and puts recent investments at risk. Riders and taxpayers already see the signs of deferred maintenance at some stations, roads, bridges and tunnels, where capital funds would have been spent on repairs,” Ms. Bauer explained.

The first two meetings were well attended. Various officials, including Lakehurst Mayor Stephen Childers and Assemblyman Jim Holzapfel, attended the Toms River meeting to show their support.

The meetings are part of the public participation process required to complete a draft environmental impact study. The study is scheduled to be finished next year and is estimated to cost $4million

NJ Transit will accept comments until Jan.3, 2003. Email MOMcomments@njtransit.com.

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